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What are the negatives of the Acura TLX?

The Acura TLX’s downsides typically cited by reviewers include a firmer ride on sport-focused trims, an infotainment system that can feel laggy or unintuitive, interior materials that don’t always match the luxury feel of some rivals, and practical compromises such as space and price. This article examines these drawbacks in detail, with context for how they stack up against competing sedans.

Across model years, the TLX aims to blend sport-sedan dynamics with everyday usability, but certain tradeoffs remain. Below, we break down the main negatives buyers should weigh before making a decision, then summarize how these issues compare with rivals in the segment.

Ride quality and handling: sportiness vs. everyday comfort

These notes cover how the TLX feels in daily driving and on winding roads, including what potential buyers should test for during a test drive.

Sport-oriented trims with stiffer suspensions can deliver a firmer, less forgiving ride on rough pavement, reducing comfort for daily commuting.

Handling is capable but not class-leading; some rivals offer sharper steering feedback and more agile cornering dynamics for enthusiasts.

At higher speeds or during aggressive acceleration, engine and drivetrain noise can become pronounced, detracting from cabin refinement.

The front-wheel-drive bias in base configurations can produce mild understeer in aggressive cornering, with all-wheel drive available but adding weight and reducing fuel efficiency.

Concluding: The TLX trades a plush ride for sportier handling in its performance-oriented versions, which may not suit buyers who prioritize absolute ride comfort or track-ready dynamics.

Interior, tech, and design: usability and premium feel

These points summarize common criticisms of the cabin experience, particularly around technology and materials, and what buyers should expect in daily use.

Infotainment and controls: Some model years rely on older interface setups or a trackpad/two-screen layout that users find slow to respond and less intuitive than contemporary touchscreen systems.

Interior materials: While well-built, some hard plastics and less premium trim choices in lower trims can disappoint buyers who compare the cabin to European rivals.

Rear space and practicality: The back seat and overall cargo practicality are adequate but not exceptionally roomy for the class, which can impact family use or long trips with a full load.

Feature availability: Many advanced driver-assistance systems and luxury tech features are optional or bundled, meaning the fully equipped feel comes with a higher trim price.

Concluding: The TLX delivers modern tech and a clean, stylish cabin, but it can lag behind top-tier rivals in perceived luxury and ease of use, particularly at the lower trims.

Value, pricing, and ownership costs

These considerations relate to how much buyers pay over time and what they get for the money, including potential ongoing costs.

Pricing and options: The base price is competitive, but adding popular option packages can push the sticker well into premium territory for the segment, affecting value perception.

Resale value: The TLX generally holds value well for a mainstream luxury sedan, but some rivals can outperform it in terms of long-term resale or lease economics depending on market conditions.

Fuel economy and maintenance: Turbo engines and all-wheel-drive setups can reduce fuel economy relative to non-turbo rivals, and maintenance costs can be higher when compared to non-luxury sedans with similar powertrains.

Concluding: While the TLX offers solid value and reliability for its class, buyers should weigh option costs, potential resale advantages, and ongoing fuel/maintenance costs against competing sedans.

Summary

Overall, the Acura TLX remains a compelling option for buyers who want sport-oriented driving dynamics, strong safety features, and good value in a compact luxury sedan. Its negatives center on a firmer ride in performance trims, older or less intuitive tech interfaces, cabin materials that may lag premium rivals, and practical tradeoffs in space and price. When evaluating it against rivals such as the BMW 3 Series, Audi A4, or Lexus IS, prospective buyers should consider how important ride comfort, tech usability, and interior feel are to their daily use and long-term ownership goals.

For readers weighing the TLX, a thorough test drive across multiple trims—especially the base versus sport-tuned variants—will reveal how these drawbacks align with personal preferences and priorities. In short, the TLX can be an excellent value for those who prioritize driving dynamics and a modern feature set, but its downsides are most noticeable to buyers seeking the utmost in ride plushness, premium cabin ambience, and cutting-edge infotainment.

What is the common problem for Acura TLX?

Common Acura TLX problems include transmission issues (especially in early models), infotainment glitches (like frozen screens and unresponsive touchscreens), and premature brake wear. Other frequently reported problems are speaker failures, backup camera condensation, rear-wheel steering noise, and issues with the electronic parking brake or auto start/stop system.

This video discusses common problems with the 2015-2020 Acura TLX, including transmission issues: 59sAutoMotivateYouTube · May 16, 2021
Powertrain and engine

Transmission: Early 8-speed dual-clutch transmissions (2015) have been particularly problematic, with some later models also experiencing issues.
Engine issues: Some V6 models have recall-related engine bearing issues. Other reports include EGR failures, fuel pump failures, and erratic idling.
Auto start/stop: The system can be unreliable or cause rough shifting in some models.

Electrical and infotainment

Infotainment system: Software glitches, such as freezing, crashing, and Bluetooth issues, are common due to coding flaws and memory overload.
Touchscreen: The touchscreen can become unresponsive over time.
Audio system: Speaker blowouts and complete audio failure from faulty amplifiers or grounding issues have been reported.
Parking brake: Some models have a faulty electronic parking brake that can activate unexpectedly, often accompanied by warning lights. A weak battery or a fuel filler neck issue can also cause problems.
Alarm system: Randomly triggered alarms have been reported on some models.

You can watch this video to learn about specific checks for common problems with the Acura TLX, such as backup camera issues: 39sDriving.caYouTube · Sep 11, 2021
Brakes and steering

Brakes: Premature wear of brake pads and rotors is a frequent complaint, often requiring more frequent replacement than expected.
Brake pulsation: Warped rotors can lead to vibration and grinding noises.
Steering: Vibration, especially noticeable during acceleration, can occur. Some models with Precision All-Wheel Steer (PAWS) may exhibit a rattling noise from the rear when turning.
Power steering: Some owners have reported a failure of the power steering system.

Is the Acura TLX a reliable car?

The Acura TLX is generally considered a reliable car, especially with proper maintenance, but some model years and configurations have known issues. Lower costs for repairs and maintenance compared to the average luxury car indicate good reliability, though some owners have reported problems with specific components like transmissions, electrical systems, and adaptive suspension plugs.
Areas of concern

Transmission issues: Some models, particularly those with the 9-speed ZF transmission, have been reported to have hard or hesitant shifting.
Electrical problems: Some owners have experienced issues with dashboard warning lights coming on, sometimes related to the wheel speed sensor.
Adaptive suspension: The adaptive suspension on certain models has a potential issue with corroding rear suspension plugs, which can be costly to repair.
V6 engine: Some older V6 models are known to have potential issues like misfires or high oil consumption, particularly as mileage increases.

Positive indicators

Lower repair costs: The average annual cost for repairs and maintenance on a TLX is lower than the average for luxury midsize cars.
Owner satisfaction: Many owners report high satisfaction with the driving experience, features, and overall performance.
Strong safety ratings: The TLX has received high safety ratings and comes with many standard safety features.

Recommendations

Consider the 4-cylinder model: Some owners suggest the 4-cylinder engine may be more reliable over the long term compared to the V6.
Check service history: When buying a used TLX, a complete service history is essential to ensure all maintenance has been performed on time.
Be aware of specific model year issues: Research the specific model year and trim you are interested in, as some have known problems that have been reported by owners.

What are the pros and cons of the Acura TLX?

The Acura TLX offers pros like a sporty design, good value with lots of features, sharp handling (especially with SH-AWD), and a high-quality interior. However, it has cons such as a distracting infotainment touchpad, cramped rear seats, and below-average fuel economy compared to some rivals.

Pros

Sporty Design: The TLX has a premium and sporty exterior that distinguishes it from its predecessor.
Good Value: It is often seen as offering a lot of features and quality for its price point, especially when compared to some European luxury sedans.
Excellent Handling: With the optional SH-AWD system, the TLX demonstrates agile and controlled handling, particularly in tight turns. The Type S model further enhances this with a powerful engine and sport-tuned suspension.
High-Quality Interior: The interior features high-quality materials and the available ELS Studio 3D audio system is highly regarded.
Comfortable Ride (in Comfort Mode): While the ride can be stiff in other modes, it can be transformed into a more comfortable, luxury-style ride in Comfort mode.

Cons

Infotainment Touchpad: The infotainment system is controlled by a console-mounted touchpad, which many reviewers find distracting and difficult to use while driving.
Cramped Rear Seats: Despite its size, the TLX does not have significantly spacious rear seats, suffering from limited legroom and headroom, especially for taller passengers.
Below-Average Fuel Economy: The TLX's fuel efficiency is not as competitive as some rivals, particularly the Type S model.
Awkward Controls: Some users may find the number of physical buttons and the "push-to-put-into-gear" design less intuitive compared to other systems.
Limited Storage: There is a lack of ample storage capacity throughout the cabin.

What Acura to stay away from?

According to CarComplaints.com, the 2003 model is one of the most problematic Acura TL years, with over 400+ NHTSA user complaints. This car's top three most prominent problems are transmission failure, car shakes during acceleration, and the peeling clear coat.

Kevin Bennett

Company Owner

Kevin Bennet is the founder and owner of Kevin's Autos, a leading automotive service provider in Australia. With a deep commitment to customer satisfaction and years of industry expertise, Kevin uses his blog to answer the most common questions posed by his customers. From maintenance tips to troubleshooting advice, Kevin's articles are designed to empower drivers with the knowledge they need to keep their vehicles running smoothly and safely.